A Brief Explication of the Last Fifty Psalms, Psalm 113
PSALME CXIII.
THis also is a Psalme of praise, wherein first, the Proposition, that God is to be praised by all, is set down, v. 1, 2, 3. In the next place are the reasons taken from his incomparable majesty, v. 4, 5. In the third place, are the reasons of his praise taken from his bountie towards men, in raising the afflicted unto an honourable condition, v. 6, 7, 8. and enlarging of desolate families, v. 9.
Ver. 1. PRaise ye the LORD, Praise, O ye servants of the LORD: Praise the Name of the LORD.
2. Blessed be the Name of the LORD, from this time forth, and for evermore.
3. From the rising of the Sunne, unto the going down of the same: the LORDS Name is to be praised.
From the exhortation to praise God, and declaration of his deserving to be praised; Learne, 1. As it is all mens duty to praise the Lord, so in special it is the duty of his Ministers, and Officers of his house. First, because their office doth call for the discharge of it publickly. Next, because as they should be the best esteemers of the reasons of his praise, so also should they be the fittest instruments to declare it. And lastly, because the ungodly are deaf unto the exhortation, and dumb in the obedience of it: therefore when he hath said, Praise ye the Lord, he subjoyneth, Praise, O ye servants of the Lord. 2. As the Lord will not be known, but as he declareth himself in his Word, so he will not be praised, save as he hath declared himself; Praise the Name of the Lord. 3. The time of the exercise of Gods praise, and continuation of this service hath no terme set unto it, but is to endure all our life, and for ever after; Blessed be the Name of the Lord from this time forth and for evermore. 4. The praise of the Lord is not to be confined unto any place, people or nation, but course should be taken that it may be extended from one end of heaven to the other, from east to west, on both hands, south and north; From the rising of the Sunne unto the going down of the same, the Lords Name is to be praised; for every where there is matter for it.
Ver. 4. The LORD is high above all Nations: and his glory above the Heavens.
5. Who is like unto the LORD our God? who dwelleth on high.
In the reasons taken from the Lords Majesty; Learn, 1. God must be exalted above whatsoever excellency is to be seene in Kings and People in all the earth; For the Lord is high above all Nations. 2. God must be exalted above whatsoever glory is to be seen in the Fabrick of Heaven, and more glory must be given to him then what all the creatures can expresse: for heaven and earth, and all things which he hath made, are but the effect of some few words of the Lord; His glory is above the Heavens. 3. Of any, or of all things which we see or hear of, or can imagine, there is no comparison to be made with God, who hath set his throne above all the creatures; Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high?
Ver. 6. Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth.
7. He raiseth up the poor out of the dust: and lifteth the needy out of the dunghil.
8. That he may set him with Princes: even with the Princes of his people.
9. He maketh the barren woman to keep house; to be a joyful mother of children: Praise ye the LORD.
In the reasons taken from the Lords gracious providence, in the revolution of Kingdomes and families; Learne, 1. As the excellency and Majesty of God is so great, that in regard of his own al-sufficiency he might justly despise the excellency of Angels and men, whereof he standeeh in no need: so the Lords taking any notice of men or Angels, is a point of humbling of himself, it is a point of love to the creature, making him stoop so low as to look toward them; For he humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth. 2. As the Lord declareth himself wonderful in the works of Creation, so also in the works of Providence, in changing the publick affaires of Kingdomes, above and contrary to all probability and expectation of men; He raiseth up the poor o…t of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghil. 3. Preferment unto high places cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, but as God casteth down some, so he raiseth other some, That he may set them with Princes, even with the Princes of his People. 4. Gods way manifested in Scripture, is contrary to the course of levelling, for he will have some to be in a mean place, and some to be Princes, even among his own People, as this text sheweth. 5. Howsoever the Lord be no lesse conspicuous in his throwing down of the mighty, then in the raising of the poore: yet will he rather take his praise here from his lifting up of the needy and poore, then from the casting down of the mighty, that so he may give comfort and hope to the dejected that depend upon him: He lifteth the needy out of the dunghil, that he may set them with Princes. 6. It ie no small benefit, yea, it is the greatest dignity in the world, to be advanced not in wrath, but in mercy, to rule over the Lords people: for so doth God here commend his bounty to the needy; That he makes them sit with the Princes of his People. 7. All changes in mens families are of God, no lesse then the changes of St…te; He maketh the barren woman to keepe house. 8. It is the special blessing of a familie to increase in number: for the Lords making the barren beare a number of children, is here made the example of the most comfortable change of a distressed house: He maketh the barren to be a joyful mother of children. 9. The very hearing what comfortable changes the Lord can make, and doth make the afflicted to finde, is a matte… of refreshment to all, and of praise to God from all▪ Praise ye the Lord.